Answering a low attack with a long cut or thrust from above, which reaches first and leaves the attacker uncovered.
When the opponent attacks the lower openings, do not go down to meet them. A cut from above, such as a , or a thrust from reaches them while their sword is still low, because the high line is the longer line and their attack has left their head uncovered. The verse says that whoever aims below is shamed from above.
Sources and interpretation
- Johannes Liechtenauer (Wiktenauer article, with the Zettel and its glosses) Article text CC BY-SA 4.0; hosted translations generally CC BY-NC-SA 4.0; the historical text is public domain The verse on Überlaufen and its gloss.